El Paso Community College (EPCC) was awarded a $20,000 grant as part of the American Cancer Society and the CVS Health Foundation’s Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative (TFGCI), a $3.6 million multi-year program intended to accelerate and expand the adoption and implementation of 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free campus policies.

EPCC is one of the first 20 colleges and universities to receive a TFGCI grant.

EPCC will use the grant to further a student-led effort to initiate a 100 percent smoke and tobacco-free policy on campus. The grant will also be used to educate EPCC students, staff and the community about the harmful effects smoking and to provide support for those who want to quit.

“EPCC is participating in the CVS Health Foundation’s Tobacco Free Campus Initiative because we care about the health of our EPCC community, which includes our students, staff and the faculty, said Robin Kitchen, EPCC Campus Life Representative and former EPCC student. “We are proud to be recipients of the CVS Foundation grant and look forward to all EPCC facilities becoming smoke and tobacco free and thus making our college healthier for all.”

This initiative was spearheaded by Tejanos Against Tobacco, a student-driven effort to make EPCC smoke and tobacco free. EPCC will kick off the TFGCI initiative by taking part in the National Great American Smokeout on November 17, 2016. EPCC will host a fun and interactive event where students, faculty and staff can learn more about the health benefits of being smoke and tobacco free.

The event will take place from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 17, 2016 in the Cafeteria Annex at the Valle Verde campus (919 Hunter.)

Over the next three years, colleges and universities throughout the U.S. will be awarded TFGCI grants to support their efforts to advocate for, adopt and implement a 100 percent smoke-and tobacco-free campus policy. Campuses will also receive technical assistance and resources to support their efforts with education, communications, cessation and evaluation.

“Through support from the CVS Health Foundation, we are excited to advance the efforts of many dedicated students, faculty and staff to make their campuses 100 percent smoke- and tobacco-free using proven strategies that will also reduce tobacco use among students,” said Cliff Douglas, vice president for tobacco control and director of the American Cancer Society’s Center for Tobacco Control.

TFGCI is part of Be The First, CVS Health’s new five-year, $50 million initiative that uses education, advocacy, tobacco control, and healthy behavior programming to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco- free generation and extend the company’s larger commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives.

“We’re at a critical moment in our nation’s efforts to end the epidemic of tobacco use, but we know we can’t do it alone” said Eileen Howard Boone, Senior Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy for CVS Health, and President of the CVS Health Foundation. “Through the power of partnership and by increasing the number of tobacco-free colleges and universities, we can contribute to the progress being made where a tobacco-free generation in the U.S. seems possible, and not a faraway dream.”

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